Nike Names New Chief Innovation Officer

20-year company veteran Andy Caine takes pivotal post as brand preps for upcoming product rollout.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 6:41pm

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A minimalist, photorealistic studio photograph of a modern, boldly-colored Nike shoe floating on a clean white background, conveying the brand's focus on innovative product design.Nike's new Chief Innovation Officer Andy Caine will play a pivotal role in unveiling the brand's latest groundbreaking footwear designs.Beaverton Today

Nike has appointed Andy Caine as its new Chief Innovation Officer, replacing 30-year veteran Tony Bignell who is leaving the company. Caine, a 20-year Nike employee, will play a key role in the footwear giant's upcoming investor day and product showcase this fall as the brand looks to convince Wall Street that it is heading in the right direction.

Why it matters

The change in Nike's top innovation role comes at a critical time for the company, as it looks to unveil its next generation of products and regain investor confidence after a recent earnings disappointment. Caine's experience working on high-profile Nike franchises like the Mercurial, Air VaporMax, and Air Max lines will be crucial as the brand seeks to drive future growth.

The details

In an email to Nike employees, Chief Innovation, Design & Product Officer Phil McCartney announced that Andy Caine will be replacing Tony Bignell as Nike's new Chief Innovation Officer. Bignell, a 30-year Nike veteran, is leaving the company to pursue creative and philanthropic endeavors. Caine has worked on several of Nike's most successful product lines during his 20 years with the brand.

  • In June 2025, Tony Bignell took on the role of Chief Innovation Officer at Nike.
  • In April 2026, Nike announced that Andy Caine will be replacing Bignell as the new Chief Innovation Officer.

The players

Nike

An American multinational corporation that is engaged in the design, development, manufacturing, and worldwide marketing and sales of footwear, apparel, equipment, accessories, and services.

Andy Caine

A 20-year veteran at Nike who has worked on several of the brand's high-profile product lines, including the Mercurial, Air VaporMax, Air Liquid Max and Air Max 1000.

Tony Bignell

A 30-year veteran at Nike who previously held the role of Chief Innovation Officer, and is now leaving the company to pursue creative and philanthropic endeavors.

Phil McCartney

Nike's Chief Innovation, Design & Product Officer, who announced Caine's appointment in an email to employees.

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What they’re saying

“As we look ahead, we're confident Andy is the right person to lead this next chapter of Nike innovation, and we're excited for what we'll accomplish under his leadership.”

— Phil McCartney, Chief Innovation, Design & Product Officer

“What stands out is not just the breadth of his experience, but what it reveals about how he does the work: through the athlete, through the product and with a clear sense of where sport is going.”

— Phil McCartney, Chief Innovation, Design & Product Officer

What’s next

Nike will be hosting an investor day and product showcase this fall, where Caine will play a key role in unveiling the brand's next generation of products as it looks to regain investor confidence.

The takeaway

The change in Nike's top innovation role comes at a critical juncture for the brand, as it seeks to drive future growth through the introduction of new, innovative products. Caine's deep experience working on some of Nike's most successful franchises positions him well to lead the company's innovation efforts and help restore investor faith in the brand's direction.